Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium

Hypertonic Saline Study

Study Overview

This study involved ambulance patients and was in two parts - Study 1 was to see how a small amount
of an IV fluid that had a higher concentration of salt than normal may help patients who have lost
a significant amount of blood due to gunshot, stabbing, or blunt trauma injuries. Study 2 also
involved the higher salt concentration IV fluid, but the patients involved were blunt trauma
patients with a severe traumatic brain injury. Both studies were randomized trials comparing
hypertonic saline and a sugar (called dextran) mix, hypertonic saline alone, and normal saline as
the initial resuscitation fluid administered to these patients in the prehospital setting. Neither
the paramedics administering the IV fluid nor the patient knew which fluid he or she was receiving.